Truck mounted fork lift



July 25, 1961 R. J. TAPPER 2,993,607

TRUCK MOUNTED FORK LIFT Filed NOV. 13, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS July 25, 1961 R. J; TAPPER TRUCK MOUNTED FORK LIFT 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 13, 1959 INVENTOK TAPPEJL YOBEQ-r J TTORNEYSUnited States Patent Cfice Patented July 25, 1961 2,993,607 TRUCKMOUNTED FORK LIFT Robert J. Tapper, 5203 Batavia Road, South Gate,Calif. Filed Nov. 13, 1959, Ser. No. 852,668 6 Claims. (Cl. 214-75) Thisinvention relates to the general field of lifting and hoisting devicesand, more specifically, the instant invention pertains to a lift orhoist attachment for trucks and other vehicles to provide elevatingmeans for facilitating the loading and unloading of the same.

An object of this invention is to provide a lifting or hoisting devicefor vehicles, the device including means for detachably connecting thesame to the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a forktype lift forhandling heavy cargoes or objects such as, for example, refrigerators.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, theprovision of a fork-type lift including a pivotally mounted offset liftarm.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lift or hoist ofthe type generally described supra, with means for limiting the swingingmovement of the lift arm.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a float type liftor hoist which is non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensiveto manufacture and maintain, and a lift or hoist which is durable inuse.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention willbecome more evident from a consideration of the following specificationwhen read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of a fork-type lift constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational -view of the fork-type lift or hoistshown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view, FIGURE 3 beingtaken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 3-3 of FIGURE 2,looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail crosssectional view, FIGURE 4being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE3, looking in the direction of the arrows; an

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the hoist support means includingmeans for detachably connecting the same to the chassis of a vehicleupon which the lift or hoist is to be mounted.

Referring now more particularly to'the drawings, the fork-type lift orhoist constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention isindicated, in general, by reference numeral 10. The construction of thehoist is such that it may be connected to the ends of a vehicle body orto a side thereof depending upon the loading conditions and the cargo tobe loaded, as well as the opera tors preference. In the drawings thehoist 10 is shown as being connected to the rear end of a wheeled truckor other similar vehicle 12 with portions of the hoist 10 extendinglaterally along a side of the truck 12 and inclined inwardly over thetruck bed 14. The truck or vehicle 12 includes conventional rear wheels16 suspended from conventional chassis means including a pair oflongitudinally extending side frame chassis members 18, the chassissupporting longitudinally spaced transversely extending conventionalspacers 20 for the support of the truck bed 14. All of the foregoing isconventional with respect to the automotive vehicle or truck 12.

The hoist support means designated at 22 is formed of a normallyhorizontally extending I-beam 24 to one end of which is connected atsubstantially right angles, an I- beam riser 26 having an inwardlyinclined upper end section which overhangs the I-heam 24. The upper endof the section 28 is integrally connected with a neck portion 30 whichis disposed substantially perpendicular to the I- 'beam 24. To the upperor outer end of the neck portion 30 is rigidly secured, as by welding32, a substantially cylindrical mounting plate 34. To serve a purpose tobe described in detail below, the mounting plate 34 includes a pair ofintegrally connected upright stop lugs 36, 38 connected to thecircumferential side thereof and spaced substantially 180 degrees apart.

As is seen in FIGURES l and 2, U-bolts 40 connect the I-beam 24 to theside frame chassis members 18 in such a manner that the I-beam. 24extends transversely therebetween and the I-beam riser 26 is disposed atone side of the truck bed 14 with the riser section 28 and its neck 30extending across the truck bed 14 in a traversing and overhangingposition relative thereto.

An elongated substantially hollow cylindrical standard 42 has one of itsends fixedly secured to the mounting plate 34 centrally thereof, andtelescoped over the standard 42 and rigidly secured to the mountingplate 34 is a centrally apertured discoidal bearing race 44 for theantifriction bearings 46. Reference numeral 48 designates an uppercentrally apertured discoidal bearing race which is also telescoped overthe cylindrical standard 42 and superimposed on the bearings 46. As isseen in FIGURE 4, the bearing race 50 includes a circumferentialdepending flange 50 which serves as bearing keeper means.

Superimposed on the upper bearing race 48 and telescoped over thecylindrical standard 42 is a substantially cylindrical plate 52 havingintegrally connected thereto one end of a depending motion limit lug 54which is adapted to engage against and abut the stop lugs 36, 38 tolimit the rotary movement of the plate 52 about the vertical axis of thecylindrical standard 42.

An elongated substantially hollow tubular cylindrical shaft 56 istelescoped over the standard 42, and the lower end of the former isfixedly connected as by welding 58 to the plate 52. As is clearly seenin FIGURES 1 and 2, the upper end of the standard 42 terminates adjacentto but spaced from the upper end of the shaft 56, and connected to theupper end of the shaft 56 is a hollow tubular cylindrical lift arm 58which projects laterally away from the shaft 56 at an obtuse angle. Theouter end of the lift arm 58 has secured thereto a substantiallycylindrical end cap 60 from which laterally projects a lug 62 having acentrally disposed opening 64 extending transversely therethrough.Extending through the opening 64 and supported by the lug 62 is thebight portion 66 of a substantially U-shaped hanger bracket 68 havingnormally depending side arms 70, 72 between which is rotatably mountedon means 74 a pulley or sheave 76.

At longitudinally spaced intervals along the hollow tubular cylindricalshaft 56 are connected, as by welding or any other conventional means,the apices 77 of a plurality of V-shaped braces 78. Each of the braces78 comprise a pair of oppositely disposed arms 80, 82 which diverge awayfrom the apex 77 thereof, the arms 80, 82 terminating at theirrespective remote ends in tongues 80A, 82A which are inwardly turned anddisposed in confronting substantially parallel relation relative to eachother.

The tongues 80A, 82A are welded to the bights 84 of a pair of oppositelydisposed vertically extending laterally spaced and confronting U-shapedchannel members 86 from the longitudinally extending marginal edges ofwhich project oppositely disposed spaced and substantially parallelflanges 88, 90. Each of the channel members 86 have their respectiveopposed flanges 88, 90 apertured at 92 at longitudinally spacedintervals to accommodate rollers 94 mounted on shafts 96 fixedly securedto the bights 84. As is seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and 5, thethe rollers 94are such that portions of the rollers 94 extend across the .bights 84 inspaced relation relative thereto. If desired, the arms 80, 82 of thebraces 78 :may the reinforced -by struts 98 which are :welded theretoand extend therebetween adjacent the outer ends thereof.

Disposed within each of the U-shaped channel membersr86 .is a secondsubstantially U-shaped channel member 100 disposed in invertedrelationship relative to its immediately adjacent L-shaped channelmember '86, .the channel l-members100 .each including a bight 102 havingprojecting from the longitudinally extending marginal edges thereof apair of laterally spaced and substantially parallel flanges 10.4, 106,the channel members "100 being disposed for reciprocation within thechannel members 86 and the flanges 104, 106 have their respectiveremotely disposed sides rotatably engaged by the rollers 94 during thereciprocation of the channel members 100.

Reference numeral 108 denotes one of a plurality of angle irons whichare longitudinally spaced between and are secured to the bights 102 ofthe channel members 100. Each of the angle members 108 includes an arm110 and a flange 112 disposed at right angles to the arm 110, theopposed ends of each of the flanges 112 terminating in substantiallyU-shaped guides 114. Each of the guides 114 includes an arm 116 whichengagesagainst the immediately adjacent bight 102 of the channel members100, a bight portion-118 which extends across the rollers 94 and theflange 88 in spaced relation relative thereto, and a second armextending parallel to the am 116 and in spaced confronting relationrelative to the bights .84 of the channel members 86. V

To the lower ends of the channel members 100 is secured a cross brace122 which is fixedly secured to the opposed bights .102. A ring 124 isfixedly connected to the cross brace 1'22 intermediate its ends, and tothe lower end of the cross brace 122 is rigidly secured the inner endsof a pair of laterally spaced and substantially parallel lifting forks126.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, it isseen that a substantially rectangular plate 128 is fixedly secured toand is supported on the lowermost one of the braces 78, and to the plate128 are afiixed a pair of longitudinally spaced bearing brackets 130which rotatably support therein the opposed ends of a shaft 132 on whichis fixedly secured for rotation therewith a drum 134 of winch means 136.One of the ends of the shaft 132l1as fixedly connected thereto a ratchetwheel 138 controlled by a detachable or releasable pawl 140 pivotallyconnected to the plate 128 at 142. To the sameend of :the shaft 132 isalso connected conventional handle means 144. The drum 134has woundthereon .one end of a cable 146 which is trained around the sheave 76and extends downwardly therefrom behind the angle members 108, the otherend of thecable 146 being fixedly securedrwithin the ring 124. a

From the foregoing description of the construction of the .or hoist 10,its operation is deemed to be .self evident. 'However, and by wayof-explanation, let it be assumed that the component parts of the hoistor lift are in the full line positions shown in FIGURES l and 2. Thus,the lifting forks 126 are substantially at ground leveland arepositioned to receive :any given object to be loaded on the truck bed14.

Assuming that the object to be loaded is in place on the forks 126, theoperator now engages the pawl 140 with the ratchet wheel 136 and rotatesthe handle 144 in a clockwise direction. This-movement of the handle 144causes the shaft 132 and, consequently, the winch barrel 1-34 to rotatein the same direction whereby the cable 146 isreeled on the :barrel 134.As the cable is reeled, the fqflifi :arecaused to be moved upwardly, theU .-shaped ch mnel members 1100 sliding upwardly in {the :U-shapedchannel members 86-while being slidably engaged by the rollers 94.

diameters of After the forks 126 have been elevated to a desiredposition above the truck bed '14 the shaft 56 is rotated in a clockwisedirection (reference being made to FIGURE 3 of the drawings) whereby theforks 126 are turned inwardly to assume .a position slightly above thetruckbed 14. Thereafter, the operator releases the pawl 140 whilesimultaneously exerting on the handle member 144 sufficient force toprevent the shaft 132 from rotating wildly whereby the forks 126 arepermitted to engage against the upper side of the truck bed 14. Thearticle to be loaded is now shifted from the forks 126 onto the bed 14,and the hoist is now free to resume its original position.

The forks 126 are returned to their original starting position by merelyrotating the shaft 56 in the'reverse or counterclockwise direction(reference again being made to FIGURE 3,) and the pawl 140.is againreleased from the ratchet wheel 138 to permit the U-shaped channelmembers 100 to defend to their original lowered position illustrated inFIGURES 1 and 2, while the cable 146 is pay'edout from the winch drum134.

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention indetail, it is to be understood that the same is offered merely by way ofexample, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hoist comprising a normally vertical cylindrical standard, anelongated hollow tubular shaft telescoped over said standard and beingrotatable about the longitudinal axis of the latter, the upper end ofsaid tubular shaft being offset at an obtuse angle relative to thelongitudinal axis of saidshaft and forming a lift arm, a sheaverotatably supported for rotationon the outer end of said lift arm, apair of oppositely disposed laterally spaced, elongated, normallyvertical channel members positioned in confronting relation relative toeach other and opening towards one another, a plurality of V-shapedbracing members having their respective apices rigidlysecured to saidshaft at longitudinally spaced intervals and the outer arm portionsthereof rigidly secured to said pair of channels at longitudinallyspaced intervals, a second .pair of laterally spaced, elongated,normally vertical channel members positioned in confronting relationrelative to each other and opening away from one another, angle ironbracing means extending between and connecting 7 together said secondpair of channel members at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong,said second'pair of channel members being slidably engaged within saidfirst pair of channel members, fork lift means fixedly secured to theouter lower ends of said second pair of channel members, winch meansrigidly supported on said shaft 7 and said first pair .of channelmembers, and a cable having an end thereof connected .to said winchmeans and its other end reeved through said sheave and connected to saidfork lift means whereby operation .of said winch means effects theraising and lowering ofsaid second pair of channel members andconsequently said fork lift means.

2. A hoist comprising a normally vertical cylindrical standard, anelongated hollow tubularyshaft .telescoped over said standard and beingrotatable about the longitudinal axis of the latter, saidshaft at-itsupper end termiminatingin anzoifset lift .arm having a longitudinal axisdisposed at substantiallyan obtuse angle relative to the axis of saidshaft, a sheavemounted for. rotation .on the outer end of said :liftarm, -.a pair of oppositely :disposed laterally spaced, elongated,-;norm'ally vertical U-shaped channel members positioned in-confrontingrelation :relative to each other and opening towards one another, aplurality of substantially AI-shaped bracingmembers having theirrespective apic'es rigidlyrconnectedto said shaft in longitudinallyspacedrelation, each of said bracing members having their respectivearms fixedly connected to said channel members at longitudinally spacedintervals therealong, a second pair of laterally spaced, elongated,normally vertical channel members positioned in confronting relationrelative to each other and opening away from one another, angle ironbracing means extending between and connecting together said second pairof channel members positioned in confronting relation rel tive to eachother and Opening away from one another, angle iron bracing meansextending between and connecting together said second pair of channelmembers at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong, said second pairof channel members being slidably engaged within said first pair ofchannel members, a plurality of rollers mounted on said first pair ofU-shaped channel members and extending interiorly thereof for engagementagainst opposed sides of said second pair of U-shaped channel members,fork lift means fixedly secured to the lower ends of said second pair ofU-shaped channel members and projecting laterally away therefrom in onedirection, winch means rigidly supported on the arms of one of saidV-shaped bracing members, and a cable having an end thereof connected tosaid winch means and its other end reeved through said sheave andconnected to said fork lift means whereby operation of said winch meanseffects the raising and lowering of said second pair of U-shaped channelmembers and said fork lift means relative to said first pair of channelmembers.

3. A hoist comprising a normally vertical cylindrical standard, anelongated hollow tubular shaft telescoped over said standard androtatable about the longitudinal axis of the latter, said shaft at itsupper end terminating in an olfset lift arm having its longitudinal axisdisposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ofsaid shaft, a cap fixedly secured to and extending across the upperouter end of said lift arm, a lug projecting laterally from said cap andhaving an aperture extending transversely therethrough, a hanger bracketincluding a bight portion having a pair of arms projecting laterallyfrom the ends thereof and in the same direction, said bight portionbeing loosely received within said aperture formed in said lug, a sheavedisposed between said arms of said hanger bracket, means pivotallyconnecting said sheave on said arms, a pair of oppositely disposedlaterally spaced, elongated, normally vertical channel members disposedin confronting relation relative to each other and opening towards oneanother, each of said channel members having oppositely disposed flangesand an interconnecting bight, each of said oppositely disposed flangeshaving a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings formed therein, aplurality of rollers mounted for rotation on each of said channelmembers with said rollers projecting through said openings and into saidchannel members, a plurality of substantially V-shaped bracing membershaving their respective apices rigidly connected to said shaft atlongitudinally spaced intervals, the arms of each of said V-shapedbracing members being rigidly secured to said bights of said U-shapedchannel members at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong, areinforcing strut rigidly secured to and extending between the arms ofeach one of said V-shaped bracing members, a second pair of laterallyspaced, elongated, normally vertical U-shaped channel members disposedin confronting relation relative to each other and opening away from oneanother, each of said last named U-shaped channel members including abight having a pair of longitudinally extending flanges projecting fromthe marginal edges thereof, a plurality of angle bracing members havingtheir respective ends fixedly secured to said bights of said second pairof U-shaped channel members at longitudinally spaced intervalstherealong, said flanges of said second pair of U-shaped channel membersbeing disposed within said first pair of U-shaped channel members andslidably engaged by said rollers, said second pair of U-shaped channelmembers and said angle iron bracing means being reciprocable relative tosaid first pair of U-shaped channel members, each of said angle ironsincluding a flange having end extensions loosely engaging around each ofsaid first pair of U-shaped channel members and forming guide means, across brace fixedly secured to the lower ends of said second pair ofU-shaped channel members, fork lift means fixedly secured to said crossbrace and projecting laterally therefrom in one direction, winch means,and a cable having an end thereof connected to said winch means and itsother end reeved through said sheave and connected to said cross bracewhereby operation of said winch means elfects the raising and loweringof said second pair of U-shaped channel members and said fork lift meansrelative to said first pair of channel members.

4. A hoist as defined in claim 3, wherein the lower ends of said firstpair of said U-shaped channel members terminate in a horizontal planesubstantially in the plane of the lower end of said shaft and thelowermost one of said V-shaped bracing members are rigidly secured tosaid first pair of U-shaped channel members and said shaft adjacent saidlower ends thereof, a substantially rectangular plate extending acrossand rigidly secured to the arms of said last named V-shaped bracingmember, a pair of spaced bearing brackets fixedly secured to said plate,and said winch means including a shaft rotatably mounted on saidbrackets, a barrel fixedly secured to said last named shaft for rotationtherewith and having connected to it said one end of said cable, aratchet wheel fixedly secured to said last named shaft for rotationtherewith, releasable pawl means for engagement with said ratchet wheel,and manually operable handle means connected with said shaft to effectrotation thereof.

5. A hoist as defined in claim 4, and means for supporting saidlowermost ends of said first U-shaped channel members and of said shaftin elevated position above a platform on which material is to be loadedor removed therefrom, said last named means including a riser adaptedfor extension along a side of said platform, means releasably connectingsaid riser to said platform, said riser including a laterally ofisetsection inclined at an angle over said platform, said riser sectionterminating at its outer end in a vertical neck portion, a substantiallycylindrical mounting plate fixedly secured to the outer end of said neckportion, a bearing race fixedly connected to said mounting plate andsurrounding said cylindrical standard, a plurality of anti-frictionbearings disposed on said bearing race, a second bearing racesuperimposed on said bearings, a second substantially cylindrical platefixedly secured to said last named bearing race and surrounding saidcylindrical standard, and means rigidly connecting the lower end of saidhollow tubular shaft to said last named plate.

6. A hoist as defined in claim 5, wherein said first mounting plate isprovided with a pair of lugs projecting upwardly towards said secondplate, said lugs being disposed in diametrically opposed relationshiprelative to each other, and a third lug depending from said secondplate, said third lug being adapted to engage against either of saidfirst lugs to limit the rotation of said hollow tubular cylindricalshaft about said cylindrical standard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,428,223 Johnson Sept. 30, 1947 2,595,120 Barnes Apr. 29, 19522,635,771 Black Apr. 21, 1953 2,936,044 Vossenberg May 10, 1960 FOREIGNPATENTS 728,362 Great Britain Apr. 20, 1955

